Homemade Pasta Dough

Step 1

Place the flour on a clean work surface, make a well in the middle and add the eggs (photo 1).

Step 2

Using a fork whisk the eggs whilst slowly incorporating the flour until combined and looks like a very rough dough (photo 2 & 3). You may need to use your hands once most of the egg is incorporated to help it along.

Step 3

Bring the dough together with your hands to form a ball. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and pliable. Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest for 30 minutes, out of the fridge (photos 4-6).

Step 4

Once the dough is rested it's time to roll it out. Cut the dough in half so it's easier to roll out and flatten it with the palm of your hand so it will fit through the first setting on the pasta machine, usually 0 (photos 7 & 8).

Step 5

Pass the dough through the widest setting once then fold one side over the other as shown on photos 9 and Flatten the dough with the palm of your hand again so it will fit through the widest setting and roll it through again.

Step 6

Repeat this process folding the sides in and passing it through the widest setting four times. Once you've done that pass the dough through each setting once from the widest to the second last setting (number 7).

Step 7

Ok so, lasagne sheets are super simple just roll the pasta dough through the machine until you reach the second last setting (my personal preference) or the very last setting. Cut the lasagne sheets to the right size to fit your dish and you're good to go.

Step 8

If you're looking for a classic lasagne recipe made with a rich ragu and silky creamy bechamel sauce check out my lasagne recipe here. I also have a recipe for a vegetarian lentil ragu lasagna and a butternut squash lasagna that's perfect for fall!

Step 9

Each of the above calls for roughly the same process just different widths. The one exception is that pappardelle (the widest of the three) needs to be cut by hand.

Step 10

Simply fold your lasagna sheet in half over and over again until you reach a 1-inch width (photos 13 & 14). Cut the roll of pasta into 1/2 inch pieces, you can trim the ends if you need to (photo 15).

Step 11

Unravel the pappardelle and use as required. If you're not using straight away shape a few strands at a time into nests to dry out (photo 16).

Step 12

Making tagliatelle and fettuccine are really simple. Place the relevant attachment on your pasta machine (most pasta machines come with this, here's the one I use). Roll the dough through the machine and you'll have tagliatelle or fettuccini (photos 17 & 18).

Step 13

Use the same method and shape the pasta into nests to dry out if you're not using straight away.